Rangers go with three catchers for now

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

SAN ANTONIO -- The Rangers are going with three catchers at least for the first four games of the season, and J.P. Arencibia will be behind the plate for Opening Day. Robinson Chirinos and Chris Gimenez are also on the roster.

Gimenez was claimed on waivers from the Athletics on Friday and has to be on the Major League roster for 72 hours. That meant he had to be on the Opening Day roster at least. Chris Snyder, who signed a Minor League contract earlier this week, was assigned to Triple-A Round Rock.

The Rangers have until next Saturday to decide who will be their backup catcher behind Arencibia. The Rangers can carry an extra position player because they don't have to put rookie pitcher Nick Martinez on the Major League roster until he makes his first start on Saturday.

Chirinos has only played 33 games over the past two years with a .205 batting average, but won a job with a terrific spring, hitting .438.

"I think we have to be patient and see all the things he's been working on, how well he's able to hold on to them," manager Ron Washington said. "But he's certainly a big turnaround from last year. He was a pusher, last year he pushed the ball off his bat. We'll have to wait and see if he can sustain."

Adduci makes final roster over Kouzmanoff

SAN ANTONIO -- Infielder Kevin Kouzmanoff had a tremendous Spring Training for the Rangers but it was not enough to make the team. The Rangers instead are keeping left-handed-hitting outfielder Jim Adduci.

The Rangers announced their Opening Day roster after Saturday's game with the Astros, and it included infielders Josh Wilson and Donnie Murphy. The Rangers haven't officially announced who will be the Opening Day second baseman in place of Jurickson Profar and who will be the utility infielder. The Rangers' issues at second base didn't help Kouzmanoff.

Both Wilson and Murphy are right-handed hitters but neither are considered major offensive threats. Wilson has a career .595 OPS while Murphy has a .685 OPS. That necessitated the Rangers keeping a left-handed pinch-hitter for that spot in the late innings. The Rangers also wanted some speed off the bench and Adduci offers that as well. Adduci hit .315 this spring with one home run, seven RBIs, a .327 on-base percentage and a .463 slugging percentage in 28 games.

"He gives us some flexibility and gives us some speed off the bench that we didn't have," manager Ron Washington said.

Kouzmanoff hit .370 with three home runs, 12 RBIs, a .443 on-base percentage and a .593 slugging percentage in 27 Spring Training games. A career third baseman, he also showed the ability to play first base as well. He does not have an out clause in his contract that would allow him to take his free agency.

"I don't have a reason why Kouzmanoff didn't make this team," Washington said. "He did everything we asked him."

Adam Rosales, who lost out for a spot as a utility infielder, will be officially designated for assignment on Sunday. He is on the 40-man roster and out of options. Kensuke Tanaka, another utility infielder candidate, was sent to Triple-A Round Rock.

Tolleson, Rosin finish out bullpen

SAN ANTONIO -- The Rangers have completed their Opening Day bullpen by adding right-handers Shawn Tolleson and Seth Rosin. Tolleson gives the Rangers another right-handed setup reliever and Rosin will serve as the long man.

Tolleson was claimed off waivers from the Dodgers and had a 2.25 ERA in the Cactus League, plus two scoreless against the Quintana Roo Tigers on Thursday night. He was 3-1 with a 4.30 ERA in 40 games for the Dodgers in 2012 before missing most of the 2013 season with a herniated disk in his lower back.

Rosin is a Rule 5 Draft pick claimed on waivers last Wednesday from the Dodgers. He has to stay on the Major League roster for the whole year or be offered back to his original team, the Phillies, for $25,000. He pitched a scoreless inning against the Astros on Saturday and two against the Quinana Roo Tigers on Thursday.

"We're still watching him," manager Ron Washington said. "He's getting outs. He's showing a good slider and keeping the ball down in the zone. We're hoping he can continue to get outs."

The Rangers have sent pitchers Ryan Feierabend, Daniel McCutchen and Justin Germano to Triple-A Round Rock. Colby Lewis has also been officially assigned to Round Rock.

Darvish throws without problem

SAN ANTONIO -- Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish, who is expected to start the season on the disabled list with stiffness in his neck, had a productive and painless throwing session at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Saturday.

While the Rangers were playing the Astros in San Antonio, Darvish threw long toss from 100 feet with medical director Jamie Reed and Jose Vazquez, the Rangers' strength and conditioning coach, monitoring him. Darvish then threw 30 pitches from a distance of 60 feet on flat ground. Darvish reported no pain or discomfort while throwing.

Darvish is scheduled to throw again on Sunday, this time with pitching coach Mike Maddux in attendance. If that session goes well, the Rangers will map out a more definitive plan for getting Darvish back in the rotation.

Darvish made four starts in the Cactus League, with the last one coming on March 16 when he went 4 2/3 innings and threw 84 pitches against the White Sox. He was scratched from his next start on March 21 and hasn't pitched since. He will most likely need at least a simulated game or a Minor League rehab start before he returns to the Major League rotation.

Darvish can be backdated 10 days into Spring Training on the disabled list and could officially come off next Saturday. Right now the Rangers are planning on Nick Martinez to make that start.